Martian Imperial Marine Guard

The Martian Imperial Marines Guard (MIMG) was significant as the dominate
Solar fighting force for a span of two centuries and for
its influence on the formation of Rogar Farrar's Terran (later Solar) Marine
Guard, the precursor of the Empire of Humanity's Imperial Marine Guard. The
vestiges of the MIMG's structure and philosophy remains after four thousand years,
with most major and minor starfaring powers (with the exception of the Terran
Khalifate and Federation of Orion) adopting structures, ranks and doctrines that
directly descend from the MIMG.

History

The establishment of MIMG predated the formation of the
Martian Empire. This precursor force, the Hesperian Space Marine Guard (HSMG),
was founded in 2483 as a battalion-sized unit to garrison Mercury. Duke Albert
Kagnon-Mellon appointed Colonel Hellman Nair as the first commander of the HMSG.

Despite resistance from the Hesperian Army General Staff,
Duke Albert increased the size of the HSMG to five battalions, including a Fleet
Battalion and a Flight Squadron in 2490. As part of the Hesperian Military
reorganization of 2500, the HSMG became the Space Marine Guard Legion (SMG
Legion), with an authorized strength of ten Cohorts, each of three battalions
strength, though in reality, it did not reach its full authorized size until
2512. Hellman Nair became the first Praetor of the SMG and quickly pushed
to expand it's role; in 2509, the MIMG gain control of all Achilles and
Courage class fleet transports and Hawk transport squadrons.

The SMG became the MIMG upon Albert's establishment of the
Martian Empire in 2516. During the Martian Belter War (2519-27), the MIMG
expanded quickly, first forming three Legions: I to support offensive
operations, II to garrison Inner System holdings and III to garrison the Outer
System. By the end of the war, the MIMG had expanded to five regular
Legions and one
Wraith special operations Legion. Concerned with inter-service rivalry,
Emperor Albert replaced (and later executed)
Hellman Nair in
2521, returning the fleet transports and fighter squadrons to Naval control.
By war's end Lyssa Remek-Ombuto had become the first Marine Marshal.

During the turbulent remainder of the twenty-sixth century,
the MIMG gradually expanded to ten Legions, scattered across the Solar System.
The MIMG Flight branch was reestablished in 2535, with fighters and small (squad
or platoon carrying) transports. The once supreme Martian Imperial Army became a reserve-only force and Legions
V, VI and VII were permanently station at Mars and Phobos to maintain order.

The MIMG saw heavy action in the First Mercury War
(2633-2636), committing nearly four Legions in a futile attempt to defend and
recover the world. After Albert's abdication and assassination, Emperor
Stanislov reduced the MIMG to four Legions and disbanded the Wraiths.
After his 2639 coup,
Emperor William quickly reversed this measure, reinstating the
Wraiths and reconstituting all the disbanded Legions.

In 2708 a Wraith Team,
conducted the first MIMG interstellar deployment on the Phoenix, Mars' first macrojump vessel.

The MIMG generally served well during the Martian War
(2711-2714), but the unsupported Legions IV, VIII and IX proved unable to retain
control of the Outer System, and surrendered their banners to Coalition forces.
Vice Marshal Peytr Justice III, became the highest ranking Marine officer to die
in combat, earning the Martian Cross for his defense of Ashima during the Battle
of Ganymede.

In the post-war years, an isolated Mars decreased its
military forces, choosing not to reestablish the three lost Legions. By
2720,
Legion I was permanently assigned to support the small but growing Martian
Interstellar Navy.

With the rise of a unified Terran Empire after 2740 and the Terran-Martian
alliance during the System War (2743-2744), Mars regained its Outer System
holdings and soon reconstituted Legions IV, VII and IX . The victories of Martian and Terran
forces in the Second Mercury War regained the innermost planet for Mars, and led
to the establishment of Legions XI, XII and XIII as the Mercury Corps, occupation and garrison forces.

In 2775, Martian Emperor Charles joined Mars to the Terran
Empire as an independent kingdom, triggering the Third Mercury War. Legions
XIV and XV were authorized before the creation of the Solar Empire in 2776, but
they did not see service in the war. All sixteen MIMG legions joined Emperor Rogar's Solar Marine Guard, serving as numbered Mars Legions that were assigned piecemeal to
Marine Guard Armies and served in the Pact War (2784-2787). The MIMG officially
lost its identity in the military reorganizations following the establishment of
the Empire of Humanity in 2789.

Structure

The Recruit

The MIMG's basic tenet was that every Marine was a fighter,
a generalist first, developing into an expert with experience. The basic unit of the Marine
was the enlisted soldier. All soldiers were volunteers and subject to rigorous
pre-enlistment tests focused on aptitude and personality. Beyond certain
minimum requirements, exceptional physical abilities were not important, as
augmentation to MIMG standards was part of basic training. A recruit enlisted
for an initial term of 4 Martian years (7.52 Standard years).

Basic training, involving indoctrination, augmentation,
small unit tactics and firearms proficiency, required a full 50 weeks.
Over time, the MIMG established four basic training bases on Mars. At the end of basic training, the
recruit officially became a Marine and received the rank of Private (E1). All
Marines underwent advanced training in zero-g and vacuum operations at the Phobos Marine Center. This training ran 20 weeks and ended with a graduation
exercise involving an unassisted transit and reentry from Phobos to the Noachis
Training Area on Mars. At the conclusion of this two week exercise, the Marine
received a promotion to Private First Class (E2) and became eligible for
assignment to a regular Marine unit.

Officers

Marine Officers either came from the ranks -- any Sergeant
(E5 or above) could apply to the 100 week-long Marine Officers Cadet School -- or
from the Marine Officers Academy, a two Martian year institution. Marine
Officers in Technical units and with prior civilian training, especially Medical
or Science Officers, could apply directly to the Marine Staff School, but such
officers were generally not part of the chain of command or eligible for combat command
assignments.

Marine Units

The MIMG was segregated into five specialized branches, or MOS
(Marine Occupational Specialty) categories. These branches were Infantry, Armor, Fleet,
Technical and Flight. All non-commissioned officers (E5 and above) had an
assigned branch, and transfers between branches were uncommon, based on
training prerequisites and staffing requirements.

The Infantry MOS was the starting branch for all
Marines, and the bulk of Marines remained in that specialty. The Infantry
included standard ground combat units, vehicular mounted light fighting units,
orbital assault units and shipboard contingents.

With promotion to Lance Corporal (E3), a Marine applied for
MOS-specific training. Based on service need, the Marine might get the training
of choice, but most often got an assignment based on aptitude and staffing
requirements. Infantry MOS training included heavy weapons, vehicle operations
and leadership skills. A Corporal (E4) had completed a basic MOS examination
and became eligible of a non-commissioned slot based on performance, seniority
and availability.

A Marine received the insignia and assignment of a
MOS-trained non-commissioned officer with a promotion to Sergeant (E5), usually
after at least two or three Martian years of service. Infantry Sergeants became
team leaders, other Sergeants received assigned a team members in units within
their MOS branch.

Team

An infantry team was led by a Sergeant. Teams were
normally composed of four Marines, including the Sergeant and at least one
Corporal. At least one member of the team was trained to operate heavy weapons
or light combat vehicles.

Armor units specialized in heavy vehicular planetary combat
(land, sea and air). A Staff or Master Sergeant (E6 or E7) led a Marine Armor
team comprised of three to five Marines, all E5 or E6 specialists, assigned to
one combat vehicle.

Fleet units served as advanced shipboard troops. In
addition to standard shipboard security and combat duties, Fleet Marines
operated shipboard weaponry, crewed boarding parties and operated small
spacecraft. An E6 or E7 led a team of four Fleet Marines.

Technical units were specialized Marines trained in
electronic warfare, medicine, cyber warfare, vehicle (including spacecraft)
maintenance, remote operations and other specialized fighting and support
roles. Depending on expertise, the commander of a team of four Technical
Marines could rank as high as First Sergeant (E8).

Flight units specialized in spacecraft
operations; the smallest Flight branch unit was the equivalent of a
Platoon (see below).

Squad

A Marine Squad was a unit normally composed of three
teams. It was led by a squad leader, who also acted as the leader of one of the
teams. Infantry Squad Leaders were almost always Staff Sergeants (E6), but
other MOS squad leaders were normally Master or First Sergeants (E7 or E8). An
Infantry squad consisted of twelve Marines. Within other branches, the size of a
squad could range from one (rarely, except in Armor units where a vehicle crew
was a Squad) to three teams, and four to fifteen Marines.

Platoon

A Platoon consisted of three squads and a command team.
The command team included an officer -- an Cornet (O1) or Subaltern (O2) -- a
Platoon Sergeant (a Staff or Master Sergeant (E6 or E7) in the Infantry, but
often a First Sergeant (E8) in other units) and a medic (a trained E5 or E6
battlefield paramedic). On occasion, a First Sergeant would command a
Platoon, but usually only until an officer became available. The command
team might have additional staff, including a forward observer, intelligence
analyst, technical specialist or heavy weapons assigned to it. A full
Infantry platoon consisted of 39-42 Marines. Platoon-sized units in other
branches might have two to four squads and 20-50 Marines assigned.

In Flight units, a single spacecraft was considered a
platoon for organizational purposes; this Platoon would include the pilot and
other officers, the flight crew and the maintenance crew assigned to that
vehicle. Marine pilots were officers assigned to fly fighters,
gunships and assault landers, but enlisted personnel from the Flight MOS branch filled out crew
positions on these spacecraft. A crew chief (E6, E7 or E8) led a team of two to
five specialists, depending on vehicle and mission requirements. Flight units
were assigned to Marine Flight Squadrons (see Battalion).

Company

A Marine Company was the smallest independently deployed
Marine Unit. An infantry company consisted of three Infantry platoons and the
command section. A Centurion (O3) or Major (O4) led a Company. The company
command section included an executive Officer (O2) a Company senior NCO (E8 or
E7), and several specialist MOS teams, always including medical and
communications, but also maintenance, intelligence, specialized weapons or
others, as the unit required. An Infantry Company consists of 130-140 Marines.
An Armor Company was referred to as a 'Troop'. A specialized heavy weapons
company was designated a 'Battery'. In Flight units, the 'Flight' was the
equivalent of a Company, though it lacked a command team. Within each Battalion
(or Squadron) Companies (Flights/Troops/Batteries) were identified by the Greek
alphabet (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, rarely Epsilon and Zeta - if a seventh
Company was added to a battalion, its designation was Omega). Specialist
branch Company units were generally smaller than infantry units, and could contain as
few as 50 Marines.

Battalion

A Marine Battalion usually consisted of four Company units
and a platoon-sized command unit. In most Infantry Battalions, one heavy
weapons Company (usually a Battery or Troop) supplemented three Infantry
Companies. Armor Battalions usually included three Armor Troops and a Battery,
or a heavy infantry Company. A Battalion commander was a Lieutenant Colonel
(O5), assisted by an executive officer (O3) and 3-6 staff officers. The command
unit included a Doctor-led medical unit, a supply unit, communications unit,
intelligence unit and other specialized teams as required. The senior NCO in a
Battalion was a Sergeant Major (E9). Armor and Flight Battalions were called
'Squadrons'. Flight Squadrons were often attached to Navy Flight Groups or
Wings, though they remained nominally under the command of a Cohort Colonel or a
Marine Wing (Black) Brigadier. An Infantry Battalion consisted of 560-600
Marines. Specialist Units might contain as few as 100 Marines. Battalions were
numbered units within a Cohort.

Cohort

A Marine Cohort was the smallest independent command unit.
It was a permanent formation, expanding or contracting as needs arose, but
never disbanded. A Cohort was always a mixed force unit, normally
composed of three Battalion-sized units and two Flight Squadrons -- usually one
attack and one transport. A Cohort was typically rated as an Infantry or
Armored unit, though its nature might change over time. Fleet Battalions were
assigned to numbered Cohorts, though they could be detached for years from their
primary unit. A Colonel (O6) led
the company-sized command unit which included all functions required for an
independent, often unassisted military operation. The senior NCO of a Cohort
was a Command Sergeant Major (E10). Cohorts ranged widely in size. A primarily
Infantry Cohort might consist of 2,000-2,200 Marines, while Armored Cohorts
might be as small as 500-600 Marines. A Cohort was numbered within its Legion,
even when assigned to a Brigade.

Brigade

Within the MIMG, a Brigade was an ad-hoc unit, usually composed of two to
seven Cohorts. Brigades were deployed on
mission-specific expeditions. A Brigade was led by a Brigadier (O7), assisted
by a company-sized command team. A Brigade had a Colonel acting as Flight Group
commander, coordinating the operations of all Flight Squadrons assigned to the
Brigade. Marine Brigades might contain between 1,200 and 15,000 Marines,
depending on mission requirements. Brigades were designated by colors within
their Legions and led by the corresponding Brigadiers. From senior to
junior,
Brigade (and Brigadier) designations were: Red, Blue, White, Green and Yellow.
The Black Brigadier, a Flight specialist Brigadier, commanded the Legion's Air
Wing.

Legion

The Legion was the cornerstone unit of the MIMG. Legions
were permanent, independent units commanded by a Praetor (O8) [Note: a purist,
would protest that the Roman Legions were led by Legates, but that's not the way
Emperor Albert wanted it]. A Legion was always referred to by it number,
expressed in following Roman numerals. A Legion was composed of ten Cohorts. The
Legion's command team ranged up to two Battalions in size and included a hospital
unit, a quartermaster Company and the command structure to support a complete
Marine Flight Wing -- in addition to the squadrons assigned to individual
Cohorts. A Praetor had up to six Brigadiers (O7) on staff. These Brigadiers
were designated by color, with the most senior assigned to command Brigades as
they were formed. The least senior Brigadier acted as the Legion's executive
officer. A Legion contained 15,000 - 25,000 Marines. Depending on
operational considerations, a Praetor might report to a Vice Marshal (O9)
commanding a Marine Corps, an Army Marshal (O10) or a Vice Admiral or full
Admiral (O9 or O10) commanding a Task Force or Fleet.

Corps

A Corps was a mission-specific or geographic specific unit
composed of two to five Legions and commanded by a Vice Marshal (O9). A
Corps might have an independent Flight Wing under its command, or might rely on
flight
support from individual Legions. A Corps numbered from 32,000 - 100,000
Marines. Corps either reported to Marine Armies or Naval Fleets, depending on
deployment.

Army

A Marine Army was a logistical unit composed of two to four
Corps or six or more independent Legions. Armies were commanded by
Marshals
(O10) and were assigned a Cohort-sized command force and a full Flight Wing. A
Marine Army was an independent command reporting directly to the General Staff
and could number 70,000 -300,000 Marines.

Army Group

An Army Group was a unit composed of multiple Armies and
commanded by a Field Marshal (O11). During the course of the Martian Empire there was
never more than one Army Group and the office of Field Marshal of the Marine Corps was
often held the Emperor.

Service Chief

The senior professional Marshal or Field Marshal of the Marine Guard was
designated the Chief of Staff, with the second most senior Marshal designated
the Vice Chief, in addition to an other command duties.

Designations

From Company level and above, Marine units took pride in
their unit designations. Examples of a full designation include:

Beta Flight, First Squadron of Second Cohort, Legion IV (a
Flight assigned to a Cohort's Squadrons)

Red Brigade, Legion III (senior Brigade of a Legion)

Special Forces

All MIMG troopers and officers were already highly trained
soldiers who would more than qualify as "special" or "elite" forces under many
definitions. However, certain missions undertaken by Martian forces required
the highest level of military expertise. During the Mars-Belter War, Emperor
Albert authorized the creation of the Wraith Legion. Initially, the Legion was
composed of a single understrength Cohort, but by the end of the war, the
Wraiths, though still top secret, had grown to nearly 3,000 elite troops. In the
postwar years, Wraith training and doctrine became standardized.

Selection

Only senior Sergeants (E6-8) and junior Officers (O2 or O3)
who had already committed to or begun a second enlistment term could apply to
the Wraith program. More senior officers or Sergeant Majors could apply, but
they received demotions to First Sergeant or Centurion upon admittance to the
program. Only 10% of applicants passed the initial screening process. Less
than a quarter of applicants completed the two Martian Year Wraith Training
School.

Training

All Wraith candidates were required to achieve expert
ratings in unarmed, light weapons, heavy weapons and zero gravity combat, vacuum
survival operations, high gravity operations, infiltration, cyber warfare and
field medicine. Additionally each candidate selected and mastered two advanced
skills, including vehicle or spacecraft operations, leadership, demolitions, or
specific technologies. Examination checkpoints occurred during each quarter of
the training, with "washouts" returning to regular service.

Candidates that passed the fourth quarter exams undertook a
comprehensive graduation exercise. The details of these exercises remained
highly classified, but all involved considerable risk. Exercises had space,
survival, combat and high-gravity components, the later occurring on Earth,
either in
territories of allied powers or in lawless regions. Space and combat
activities allegedly involved covert "pirate" attacks on Belter or even neutral
shipping. The fatality rate for this compressive exercise reportedly averaged
20%. At the conclusion of the final exercise, the graduated Wraith Marine received a
promotion and assignment to a Wraith unit and was required to commit to an
additional four Martian year term.

Organization

The basic Wraith unit was a Team consisting of twelve
soldiers, including two to four officers, with the commander a Centurion or
Major. Teams were generally dedicated to specific functions and duties. Up to
eight teams formed a Wraith Group, led by a Lieutenant Colonel. A set of Groups
formed a Wraith Cohort, led by a Colonel. As with other Marine units, the
Cohort was a permanent organization, as were Teams, with Groups formed to
support specific missions. Unlike other units, Teams were numbered within a
Cohort, from First Team onward, and not by Groups, which had Greek letter
designations. A Cohort might contain over fifty Wraith Teams.

As with other MIMG Units, ten Cohorts formed a Legion. A
temporary set of Cohorts, the equivalent of a brigade, was designated a Wing
and given a color designation similar to Brigades. There was only one MIMG
Wraith Legion, it had no numeral designation. The staffing of the Wraith
Legion varied from as few as 2,500 Marines in peacetime to as many as
10,000 during the Martian War. The Praetor in charge of the Wraith Legion
reported directly to the General Staff.

Note: Wraith units were not acknowledged until 2540.
Prior, and often later, Wraith units, when displaying insignia at all, would
display Infantry or Fleet MOS markings.

Special Duties

In addition to the Standard Branches and units, the MIMG also detached troops
for three special purposes: Imperial security, embassy protection and
foreign cadre service. These specialist troops were drawn from applicants
with at least one term of service and required special training or background
clearance.

The Emperor's Own Guard

The Emperor's Own Guard (EOG) was a Cohort-sized unit drawn from all branches
of the Marines and commanded by a Brigadier. The EOG was responsible for
security for the imperial family and included Flight crews, ceremonial guards
and covert intelligence teams. All members of the EOG underwent deep
security screenings and served for in the unit for a full term.

Embassy Detachments

The MIMG provided security detachments for embassies among foreign powers
throughout the Solar System. In addition to embassies and consulates among
the other Solar powers, the MIMG provided security at over one hundred
diplomatic stations on Earth. Embassy detachments serviced in the Imperial
Color Guard (ICG), with individual units ranged from a Team to a Company in size
and normally drew from the Infantry, though senior ambassadors often rated a
Flight team and dedicated spacecraft.

Cadre Service

Marine Infantry officers and NCOs were periodically assigned to various Earth
governments as trainers or military advisors, occasionally engaging in combat
operations in conjunction with local forces. Rarely, Armor, Technical or
Flight units (plus unacknowledged Wraith Teams) also served in that capacity.
The Cadre Service was an independent command structure, usually led by a
Brigadier or Praetor based out of a Martian Embassy in a major neutral power.

Decorations

All Martian Imperial Forces shared the same decoration hierarchy.
Decorations for valor were individual awards. Battle decorations were
issued as unit citations. Additionally all marines became eligible for a
variety of service ribbons. Being a combat casualty did not in itself
impart a decoration. Emperor (then Duke) Albert refused to decorate
soldiers "just because they forgot to duck".

Valor

Unlike the Martian Army, both Marine and Naval decorations for valor could be awarded
for both combat and non-combat valor. The extreme danger posed by service
in space warranted this expansion of the definitions of valor and heroism, as
space was often the deadliest enemy. Regardless, the Martian Cross was
rarely awarded outside of combat. The Martian decoration of valor were:

Martian Cross: The highest military award for extreme heroism,
awarded by order of the Emperor. Only 245 Marines received the Martian
Cross between 2516 and 2789, only four Marines received it twice. Most
awards were posthumous.

Crimson Star: Awarded for exceptional valor, gallantry or ingenuity
in the face of extreme danger as recommended by the Chief of Staff.

Obsidian Star: Awarded for valor, gallantry or ingenuity in the
face of extreme danger as recommended by a senior general officer (O8 or above).

Phobos Star: Awarded for heroism in the face of danger as
recommended by a general officer (O7 or above).

White Star: Awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement or
service while in the face of danger, as recommended by a commanding officer at
the company level or higher.

Battle

Battle Decorations were campaign medals, issued to all troops in good
standing that completed a tour of duty that included a designated combat
operation. In some cases, a tour of duty could result in multiple campaign
medals, as determined by the service Chief of Staff. The classes of Battle
Decorations were:

Imperial Combat Medal: The most prestigious service decoration,
issued by the Emperor for extraordinary heroism and determination in action.

Space Assault Medal: Issued to units that undertook assaults
across open space without the benefit of a vehicle, including reentry jumps,
parabolic landings and assault boardings.

Space Combat Medal: Issued to units that conducted combat
operations in space, including transport and fighter combat and surface
operations on asteroids, small moons and habitats.

Ground Combat Medal: Issued to units that conducted combat
operations on planetary or large moon surfaces.

Combat Service Medal: Issued to occupation troops, fleet troops
in combat zones and other under threat of enemy fire.

Service

Service ribbons rewarded Marines for conduct, skill and length of service.
These ribbons included:

Good Conduct Ribbon: Marines who have completed a full four
Martian year term of service without non-judicial punishments, disciplinary
infractions, or court martial offenses receive a good conduct ribbon.

Exceptional Service Ribbon: This award was issued to all Marines
who remained in the Guard after completing five full terms.

Pay Rates

In addition to standard pay rates based on terms of service
and rank, the MIMG also based wages on demonstrated skill. Each expert rating
added a fixed amount to the Marine's pay scale. Higher degree expert ratings
added an equivalent expert "chit" to the pay rate.

While pay tables varied during the centuries of the MIMG's
existence, the basic rule for remuneration remanded fairly constant. Above the
basic trooper E1 rate, each term of service added one chit to pay, plus another
for each good conduct ribbon. Each
promotion added two chits and each expert or expert degree rating added one
chit. The basic officer O1 rate was equivalent to an E7 base rate.

Awards for exceptional valor also added to the pay rate, the Obsidian Star
was worth one chit, the Red Star two, and the Martian Cross, four.

This pay system rewarded expertise and allowed a path of
advancement for those who did not seek the traditional responsibilities of
increased ranks. In some units, especially the Wraith Legion, experienced
non-commissioned officers often received a higher wage than even mid ranking
officers.

Retirement

A Marine that served five full terms (20 Martian or 37.6
standard years) or that received a permanent disability as a result of service,
was eligible for retirement. Retired Marines received half pay for life and, if
able bodied, were eligible for recall for a further ten Martian years beyond
their last day of service. Retired Marines were the only Martian "civilians"
legally able to own and carry lethal projectile and energy weapons within the
Martian territories. All veteran Marines, retired or not, received free premium
medical treatment for life. Retirees received free regeneration therapy for
life.